Darkness Follows by Emerald O'Brien

next to Aurina, and plunked himself down. An intriguing
fragrance of musk and oil wafted her way.
    "So,
what else did I miss?" Blake leaned back in his chair.
    "Crawley
filled them in earlier." Max told him.
    "That
was it?" Ryanne asked. “Nothing else we should know?”
    "That’s
all." Crawley said, sticking a fresh toothpick into his mouth from his
pocket. “For now.”
    "So
stay inside, don't tell anyone who we are, and hope Jeremy doesn't find
us?" Ryanne said. Aurina shot her a sharp look.
    "You
don't have to stay inside, right Crawley?" Blake said." You can go
out with me or Max here."
    "It's
only for a little while." Aurina told Ryanne, but she knew not much more
could be settled tonight. Ryanne shrugged, and pursed her lips. Aurina wished
Ryanne would come out and say she was upset with her.
    "I'll
show you a few of the fun places around here." Blake told them.
"There's the lake just fifteen minutes north of here where I like to go
fishing. Ever been fishing?" Both the girls shook their heads again, and
Blake laughed. Aurina looked to the other men who were smiling.
    "We've
got two city girls here Blake." Max told him as he pushed his chair back
from the table. Crawley stood up from the table as well.
    "Time
I get home. Sheila'll be wondering where I am." Crawley made his way to
the door and Max followed. "Max'll be outside keeping watch." Max
nodded and as Crawley said goodnight, Max told them it was nice to meet them.
    "Thank
you again, nice to meet you both as well." Aurina said, and saw them out.
    "So,
I guess I should be going as well." Blake stood beside Aurina after
Crawley and Max had left.
    "Will
you be over tomorrow?" Ryanne asked.
    "Yep. Why, ya wanna
go exploring?" Blake asked and Ryanne gave him a small smile.
"Jackie's going to be jealous."
    " Whose Jackie?"Aurina asked.
    "My little brother. I was going to
spend time with him tomorrow. Take him fishing or something."
    "Oh
nice, how old is he?"
    "Twelve."
    Aurina
snuck a look at Ryanne, whose eyes had widened as well.
    "Oh
he's not my real brother" Blake grinned."I'm his Big Brother, from
Big Brothers Big Sisters, it's a mentorship program."
    "Oh.Yeah,
we have that in Toronto too." Aurina smiled. "Well don't leave him
hanging."
    "He
didn't even know I planned it. He would just be jealous because I'll be
spending time with some pretty girls. Uh ladies."
    "So tomorrow?" Ryanne glazed
over the compliment.
    "Sounds good kid. I’ll be over
after work. I'll take a half day. That's one of the few perks of being your own
boss." Blake smiled as he slipped his boots back on.
    “Sounds good, as long as you don’t call
me kid.” Ryanne gave him a big fake smile, which softened into a real one when he turned
back to her and she saw him shrug. "See you tomorrow." He nodded at
her as he went through the door. "Lock up!" Blake called before the
door shut behind him, and Aurina slid the chain across the door, and turned the
lock by the knob. When she turned around, Ryanne had already left to bed.
    Aurina
wished they had also brought some overnight things, or been allowed to pack
anything of their own. A big bottle of red wine would be a comfort to her, but
the tea and instant coffee in the cupboards would have to do.
    On
the way to her room, Aurina saw Ryanne’s door was closed, but noticed a light
from the crack at the bottom. She thought about knocking, and trying to talk
with her, but exhaustion made the decision easy, and after she undressed, she
fell asleep as her head hit the pillow.

Chapter 10
    It
was three in the afternoon, and Blake had not called or been by the house yet. The
girls had both slept-in past noon, and since then, had sat in the living room
together drinking tea. Aurina was making a shopping list with a pen and scrap
piece of paper from her day planner when Ryanne had finally spoke.
    "I'm
sorry." Aurina put down the paper and pen in her hands.
    "I'm
sorry too." Aurina told her. "I'm sorry I brought you into this. I
shouldn't have gotten you